Coptic Christians and others in North Texas concerned about the events in Egypt and Libya said they are dismayed and disappointed that a short film led to violent protests throughout the Middle East, resulting in the deaths of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.
The four Americans died Tuesday at the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, Libya when the compound was attacked during a protest of the film, Innocence of Muslims.Father Samuel Bakhoum, who is the priest of St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church in Colleyville, said he was angered that the film The Innocence of Muslims -- now thought to be a short YouTube video -- led to deaths and violent protests in Libya, Egypt, Iran and Tunisia this week."It is not a nice movie and it is not a nice thing to attack other people," Bakhoum said."I know there is free speech and everybody can say what they want, but unfortunately, this affects Christians and Christians in the Islamic world," he said.North Texas is home to the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States, which oversees churches in several states including Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, and Texas.St. Mary's has around 200 families in the congregation, Bakhoum said, and there are Coptic churches in Euless and Richardson.Coptic Christians belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, the largest Christian church in Egypt.The Coptic Christians make up about 9 percent of Egypt's population, but many Christians fled to the United States as they faced persecution in a country that is predominately Muslim.Details are sketchy on the individuals behind the 14-minute trailer that portrays the Prophet Muhammad as a child molester and murderer, but the three men behind the film reportedly have ties to radical Christian groups. One identified himself as an Orthodox Coptic Christian born in Egypt.Texas Wesleyan University professor Mark Hanshaw said the film and its aftermath led to discussions at university's world religion classes."These events are indeed having an impact in North America," said Hanshaw, who chairs the department of religion and humanities. "They feed images that many have of Muslims and the Islamic culture"The images are not always fair, he said, as they can focus on the extremism.Katherine Saver McGovern, the Democratic candidate for the 32nd Congressional District, said she is sympathetic toward the State Department employees who were killed."The events unfolding also heightened the notion that we need to be mindful that our actions can have serious effect," she said, alluding to the video. "That creates a lot of danger for many people who are totally innocent."Elizabeth Campbell,817-390-7696Twitter: @fwstlizHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
